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“What does that mean, Duncan?” She searched my face for an answer I didn’t have.

“I don’t know.”

“I want children, Duncan. I want a family.” She placed her hand on the side of my cheek. Forcing me to look her in the eye, she asked, “Is that something you can give me?”

“I want to. God, I want a little girl with purple eyes and dark hair. Someone just like her mother, who I can love and protect. But then I question if I can protect her. You’ve already been put in harm’s way because of me.”

“Life isn’t a book, Duncan. We don’t get to look at the last page and see who survives. We must trust in ourselves and trust in that God you believe in. Losing a child would be devastating. But never having loved a child would leave me empty inside.”

“I love you, Freyja. I want to give you everything. I already know that I’ll be a controlling son of a bitch after what happenedwith Tyran. You might decide you can’t handle it. With a child, I would be so much worse.”

“What you call controlling, I call love. And to be loved like that is every girl’s dream. Plus, I’m not afraid to throat punch you like I did Gavin when you get out of hand.”

Her expression as she said the words was so serious that I knew she meant them. Still, I threw my head back and laughed. Then I pulled her close and kissed her. I leaned back on the bed, pulling her with me when there was a knock on the door.

“We’re landing soon. Time to get dressed and buckle up,” Cian said through the door.

“I hate that asshole,” I muttered.

“No, you don’t. Come on. Let’s go see your nephew.”

The ride from Denver airport was pretty, but long. Vast open fields stretched out along either side of the road. You could see for miles with nothing to hinder the view.

Sal decided to stop at the station first. When we walked in, it was clear Martha Daniels remembered us.

“He ain’t here,” she said, looking us over briefly and dismissing us.

“It’s good to see you again, Martha. Where would my baby brother be?”

“Already went home today,” she replied without looking up.

“Any chance you might give us his address?” Sal asked. He already knew her answer, but he was an antagonistic asshole at times.

Martha huffed, then crossed her arms over her desk and smiled at Sal. “Not a chance in Hell.”

Sal laughed, and I shook my head.

He rapped on her desk and said, “Thank you for watching out for him.”

“Hmmpf” was her only reply.

We walked outside and Sal asked Colleen, “Do you have your mother’s address?”

“Of course I do.”

“Alright, let’s head to the house, then.” Sal rubbed his hands together, and I knew he was getting entirely too much enjoyment out of this.

As we pulled into the driveway, Lannie stepped out on the porch. His gun at his hip, and his hand on his gun. A large black dog sat at his feet. Ears back, ready for action.

When we climbed out, Lannie yelled, “What the fuck are you doing here? And why didn’t you call?”

“Got a special delivery for my sister,” I called out as I helped first Freyja, then Colleen out of the SUV.

“Reenie!” Lannie called, and Maureen walked out the door.

“Colleen? What are you doing here?” She jogged down the steps and wrapped her arms around her daughter.

Mac grabbed Colleen’s bags from the back, and we stood at the bottom of the stairs.